•The Cabinet this week endorsed the tough measures instituted by the government to fight illegal brews and narcotic drugs
•Since the government launched the crackdown, some 5,835 raids on illicit and narcotic premises have been conducted and 289,390 litres of illicit brews netted
Image: FILE
Mumias East Member of Parliament, Peter Salasya, expressed his support for the government's current crackdown on illegal alcohol-selling spots.
Speaking on Friday, Salasya also urged Kenyans to avoid alcohol, warning that excessive drinking without control and discipline could harm lives.
He raised concerns about some outlets selling alcohol, particularly to young people, even during the day, which encourages drinking from early morning hours.
The legislator has now called on the government to ensure such outlets are shut and the owners arrested.
"If you are out there and you know you are someone who cannot control alcohol, avoid it because alcohol can destroy your life. There are people who take alcohol, they go to joints very early in the name of 'kutoa lock', Salasya said.
"I want to join the government to ensure that the illicit alcohol outlets selling during the day are all shut and owners arrested," he added.
His sentiments come even as the Cabinet this week endorsed the tough measures instituted by the government to fight illegal brews and narcotic drugs.
Since the government launched the crackdown, some 5,835 raids on illicit and narcotic premises have been conducted, 289,390 litres of illicit brews and 13,198 litres of counterfeit alcohol netted.
In addition, seven vessels for trafficking drugs, 3,603 rolls of bhang and 44 stones have been seized.
The development comes days after the Interior Ministry announced a raft of measures to curb the menace.
They include a 21-day suspension of all 52 licenses and permits issued to manufacturers and distillers of second-generation alcohol.
Others are the revocation of all bar licenses issued by counties against the law and an audit of conflict of interest within the ranks of enforcement agencies.
The ministry also launched a nationwide crackdown on the sale, transportation, distribution and consumption of illicit brews and narcotic drugs.
Noting the increased cases of addiction to alcohol and drugs, the Cabinet directed the Ministry of Health to prepare a framework for rehabilitation wards in all Level 5 hospitals.
At the meeting, the Environment, Agriculture and Energy ministries were directed to convene an inter-ministerial committee to deal with the invasion of the Prosophis Julifora tree commonly known as 'Mathenge’.
The tree is a menace in 22 counties and has led to the loss of grazing and farming lands, biodiversity, wetlands and national parks.